San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-10-21

and pulled out my cold mutton and pOta-
toes. Who can picture my joy when /
found that | could taste the meat again.
and that il was Nasty | hardly believed
my senses; in fact had lost them for so
long that it was difficult to understand
that they had come back to me. tried
the potatoes. Heavens, what a horrible
thing to well regulated palate is cold
boiled potato
At first, as l said, / could not believe
that l had recovered my taste; then, as
the truth forced itself upon me, and /
found that could not only taste, but was
actually hungry, | jumped and danced
and was beside myself with joy. Think
of a convict suddenly released and de-
clared guiltiess of the charges brought
against him. Think Of a prisoner on the
very ladder Of the gallows tree, with the
rope round his neck, reprieved and par
doned. Think Of one doomed to death by
his physician receiving the assurance that
it was all a mistake, and that he would
gather up long years Of life as in sheaf
And think that such joy as these would
feel, felt-and more!
l went to the nearest coffee shop and Or
dered bacon, eggs and tea, offering short
grace with every plate as it came And
then, because l felt sure that my old tor
mentor must be dead, repaired to my
lawyers and saw the clerk.
"Ah," he said, "the poor old mans
gone at lastl Went out like the snuff Of
a candle. His illness was only twenty
four hours. Well, he's gone to heaven, if
ever man did,"
"What did he die of-too much eating
and drinking"
"Mr. Lucraft," said the clerk severely,
'this it not the tone for you to adopt
toward that distinguished man, your ben
efactor He died, sir-being a man of
moral, temperate, and even abstemious
life, though of full habit-of apoplexy."
''Ohr' said, careless what the clerk
said, but glad to be quite sure that the
diabolical old villain was really dead. /
suppose that never was such joy over the
repentance of any sinner as mine over the
death of that numbering glutton, for
whom no words of hatred were too strong.
81 think you've got to see our senior
partner" said the clerk. "Step this
way"
He led me to room where / found a
grave and elderly gentleman sitting at
table. "Mr. Lucraft2" he said. II was
expecting you. saw your late patrons
negro this morning. He told me that you
would call"
started, but said nothing.
81 have a communication to make to
you on the part of our departed friend,
Mr.. EbeneZer Grumbelow 1t is dated a
few weeks since, and is to the effect that
a sum of money which l hold was to be
placed in your hands in case of his DEATH
This, it appears, he anticipated, for some
reason or other"
"Ebenezer Grumbelow." That was the
name which had so long escaped my MEM
"Ebenezer Grumbelow."
said nothing, but stared with all my
eyes.
"My poor friend" the lawyer went on,
'after remarking that unless you change
your unfortunate habits you will come to
no good, gave me this money himself
here is the check-so that it will not ap-
pear in his last will and testament"
took it in silence.
"Well sir''-he looked at me in some
surprise-"have you no observation to
make, or remark to offer, on this gener
osity?"
"None," | said.
81 do not know" he continued; 81 do
not know-your signature here, if you
reason Mr.. Grumbelow had
in taking you up, or what claim you pos
sessed upon his consideration; but l
think, sir, do think, that some express
sion, some sense of regret, is DUE
l buttoned up the check in my pocket.
"Mr. GrumbelOw was philanthropist,
l believe, sirS'
"He was. As a philanthropist, as a
Of charities, as a public donor
of great amounts, Mr. Grumbelow's name
stands in the front. So much we all
know"
"a religious man, too?"
''Surely, surely; one Of our most deeply
men. A man who was not
of his sanity profession"
"Cluck cluckr'
1t was the familiar face of Boule-de-
neige at the door.
''You know, suppose" said the law
yer, "Mr. Grumbelow's body servant, a
truly Christian negro2"
"Was there" l asked, "any clause in
Mr.. Grumbelow's letter-any conditions
attached to this gift?"
''NOne whatever. 1t is a free gift
Stay there is postscript which ought
to have read to you. You will perhaps
it. In it Mr.. Grumbelow says
that as to the services rendered by him to
you, and by you TO him, it will be best for
your own sake to keep them secret" I
bowed.
The date of the check correspondent with
the first illness of the old man-his affec-
ton Of the throat. Probably he was
afraid that | should reveal his infamous
story.
81 may now tell you, Mr.. Lucraft,
without at all wishing to break any conf
dence that may have existed between you
and the deceased, THAI a friend Of Mr..
Grumbelow's-no other, indeed than the
Rev Jabez Jumbles, pulpit name doubt
less known to yOu-intends to write the
biography of this distinguished and reli-
gious man, as an example to the young
Any help you can afford to so desirable an
end will be gratefully received. Particu-
larly, Mr.. Lucraft, any communication on
the subject of his continual help given to
young men, who regularly disappointed
him, and all, except yourself, died of
drink"
bowed again and retired.
Did any one ever hear of such wicked
old mani
Outside the office was Joined by the
negro.
"What have you got to say to me, de-
testable wretchY" cried, shaking my fist
in his withered old face.
"Cluck-cluckl Massa not angry with
poor old Boule-de-neige. How young
NASSAU Young massa pretty well? How
de lubly abbadide Of de young geglemanf
How him strong stumjack' Cluck-cluckr'
He kept at a safe distance from me.
tbinlz 7 SbpuI1 haya EiI1a6 him ~ bad
ever clutched him by the throat.